School Dazed

My first semester at Cedar Crest College is almost over.  Wow.

After spending nearly 2 years out of the education system, and then rather unceremoniously and quickly jumping right back in, it's been a bit of a struggle to get used to playing the educational game again.

Though I don't think it's possible that I've literally gotten dumber over the past few years and months, it certainly feels that way.  Maybe I've just gotten worse at cutting through red tape and paperwork to get to what I want.  I'm sick of filling out forms and getting signatures and approvals and registering for things I didn't even know you could register for.  I had forgotten how little of college is actual work, and how much is going through the motions and procedures that give you the college's stamp of approval for whatever it is that you might be trying to accomplish.

Though I suppose I can't really complain, I'm sure the working world will be just the same way.

If I had to give a few words of advice to someone returning to school after taking a break I would say:
- Expect the first few weeks to be HELL.  It's hard to go from lazing about to 15 hours of lecture a week and homework and trying to keep everything straight.  But it will get better after you get used to it.
- Trust the teacher's information, not necessarily the other students' opinions.  I have heard so many students say "Oh, such-and-such assignment is due next week," when the assignment is due the next day.  Listen to the person who will be grading your work, not your peers.
- Scope out ALL the parking lots early.  It's important to know, trust me.
- Don't try to finish all the assignments in one day.  Pacing is important.